Other LanguagesProgress has been made to protect consumer privacy, but concerns remain
SEATTLE—Attorney General Bob Ferguson, joined by 22 other state attorneys general, announced progress in their effort to work with Google to improve how it protects consumer privacy, and called on the company to offer greater transparency and more meaningful privacy controls.
“With every click, consumers leave a trail of personal information that is used by companies for commercial purposes,” said Attorney General Bob Ferguson. “I will continue to focus on increasing consumer protection online.”
Last year, 36 state attorneys general wrote to CEO Larry Page expressing serious concerns with the way Google handles consumers’ privacy. This occurred after Google implemented a new unified privacy policy without giving consumers a meaningful opportunity to opt out. The attorneys general asked to meet with the company to address them.
In that letter and the subsequent dialogue, the attorneys general pressed Google to make improvements in multiple areas. This included:
- consumer education about how information gets combined across Google platforms;
- notice to consumers about their existing privacy controls and how to access them; and
- transparency to consumers about what information Google is collecting about its users.
Ferguson is encouraged that Google has now made changes in each of these areas, though more needs to be done. In a new letter sent to Page this week, the attorneys general state that they will continue to closely monitor Google’s activities related to consumer privacy, “We trust that the company will do its part to ensure that the information consumers share with Google is appropriately protected and to keep consumers informed and in control of how and when that information is used and shared — in the aggregate or otherwise — with others.”
The letter continues, “Online technology is constantly evolving, and innovation is welcomed, but innovation should not come at the expense of consumer protection. Changes to how Google treats consumer’s information should not be treated like automatic software updates; they should be treated like new decision points for consumers, requiring consumer consent.”
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The Office of the Attorney General is the chief legal office for the state of Washington with attorneys and staff in 27 divisions across the state providing legal services to roughly 200 state agencies, boards and commissions. Attorney General Bob Ferguson is working hard to protect consumers and seniors against fraud, keep our communities safe, protect our environment and stand up for our veterans. Visit www.atg.wa.gov to learn more.
Contacts: Alison Dempsey-Hall, Dep. Communications Director, (206) 641-1335